Israel's Fauna

Eurasian Jay // White Spectacled Bulbul
Hooded Crow // Hoopoe (Israel's National Bird)
These guys were all seen while walking around Jerusalem.

One of the things I love most about traveling is seeing the unique flora and fauna of a place. When I was in Israel, I was stunned by how many interesting birds I saw. Instead of the pigeons and sparrows I usually see in cities, I saw all the birds in the picture above in Jerusalem. I was also lucky to be there at the time of year when the common swallow returns to nest at the western wall. There were also a lot of palm doves. Apparently, Israel is known be a great place for bird-watching!

Tristram's Starling
(Masada)

This guy was seen at Masada. There was actually a flock of them just hanging out on the rocks letting people take pictures of them. They seemed to be as curious about us as we were about them.

Cats, Jaffa // Hyrax, Beit She'an
Camels, Hills // Camel, Gas Station

I saw the hyrax at Beit She'an. They are also known as "rock rabbits"which is quite the apt nickname; their appearance belies their agility. Other animals I saw that I didn't get pictures of: ibex on the side of the road along the Dead Sea, donkeys roaming in date tree groves, and goats in Bedouin camps in the Judean hills.